Manila, Philippines (BBN) – Philippines have expressed willingness to boost trade relation with Bangladesh.

The initiative was taken at a meeting between Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the central bank of Philippines, Governor Amando M Tetangco and Bangladesh Bank (BB) Governor Atiur Rahman in the capital on Tuesday.

At the meeting, the BSP chief expressed his country’s interest in importing rice and potato from Bangladesh aiming to expedite trade relation between the two countries.

Dr. Rahman said Bangladesh had attainted self-sufficiency in rice production and the government had already decided to export the staple to Sri Lanka.

 

Earlier on October 27 last, the Bangladesh government approved a proposal to export 50,000 tonnes of rice to Sri Lanka at US$450 per tonne.

At the onset of the meeting both the governors exchanged there common interest in the emerging experience in Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI).

They acknowledged the success of the BB as a member of the Steering Committee of AFI and BB governor shared various success stories of financial inclusion drives in Bangladesh such as survey report on extended coverage of the mobile banking by 76 per cent of the rikshaw-pullars in Dhaka which extends financial services to the poor one step above  

The BSP governor shared his upcoming initiatives for standardizing the indicators for financial inclusion through a benchmark survey.

The BB governor expressed his deep interest in sharing BSP experience.

Bangladesh Ambassador to Manila John Gomes, who was present at the meeting, shared his experiences for extending trade initiatives particularly in the apparel and clothing sector between Dhaka and Manila.

 

Earlier on the day, the BB governor along with thirteen fellow Gusi Peace International Prize laureates went to Rizal Park to attend a befitting wreath laying ceremony with gun salute.

After the ceremony at Rizal Park, the laureates congregated at the National Press Club where Hon. Barry S. Gusi, Chairman of the Gusi Foundation asked the Governor Atiur Rahman to share his feeling to the audiences.

BB governor expressed his gratitude to have the chance to reach poor people through various financial inclusion drives from central bank in addition it main mandate intact.  The initiatives of financial inclusion in Bangladesh are now getting recognition worldwide.

Dr. Rahman concluded his speech by dedicating the award to the martyrs of 1971 war of liberation and poor but hard working entrepreneurial people of Bangladesh.

BBN/SSR/AD-26Nov14-12:24 am (BST)